The Penguin is the face of organized crime in Gotham City, and few other villains can claim to be as iconic as he is. With his posh suit, top hat, portly stature, and hooked nose, there's no mistaking the Penguin in any seedy Gotham nightclub.
Ever since he debuted in 1941, The Penguin has rarely been absent for long in any Batman story. Whether he's the main villain or just another contact for Batman to interrogate, the Penguin is sure to be an entertaining bird to watch. Given his appearances in both film and television over the years, there have been plenty of Penguin interpretations that soared while others remained some seriously dead weight.
Hanna-Barbera Penguin (1968)
The very first animated portrayal of The Penguin is certainly the iconic look that most people associate with the character. Much like Burgess Meredith's portrayal, Ted Knight portrays a refined businessman with a short temper.
Although not the deepest of portrayals, his antics are certainly beloved by children of the time, and it's hard to fault a portrayal for staying so true to the source material. Not to mention, this is the Penguin who's gone up against the Mystery Gang, so that's fun.
Brave and the Bold (2008)
Voiced by Stephen Root, this version of the Penguin returns to his dastardly origins as a gentleman thief. When there are deals to be made in Gotham, this Penguin is expected to be at the center of it, making a profit.
This version harkens back to the Filmation days, especially in terms of his outfit and general penchant for team-ups. He's a great addition to the already zany cast of silver age villains, and The Penguin appears in many of the best episodes of The Brave and the Bold.
The Batman (2004)
You wouldn't be blamed if you closed your eyes and assumed the voice coming out of this Penguin came from the Ice King of Adventure Time fame. Tom Kenny gives us a very strange take on the character here. He is very rude and acts as a foil to the charismatic Bruce Wayne.
Where most portrayals of the Penguin lack any combat ability, this version is a skilled martial artist who can keep up with Batman of all people. Paired with his rude attitude, this is an incredibly unique take on the Penguin, but a very interesting one nonetheless.
DCAU (1992)
The Penguin's first of many appearances in the DCAU is immediately iconic. Oswald Cobblepot at the start of the series is a rather ill-mannered thief who put on the airs of a refined gentleman. However, this series explores another side of The Penguin: that he is perfectly capable of going legit.
Not just that, he does so successfully, out of love for a woman he met. However, as soon as he is betrayed, he returns to his life of crime. It's the first time we see The Penguin so emotionally volatile yet sympathetic, and it's a trend that would inspire other versions of the character.
Batman Returns (1992)
Danny DeVito's Penguin is a unique take on the character. As far as any portrayal goes, this is the most animalistic and creepy. His unnaturally pale skin, jet black lips, sharp teeth, and sunken eyes radiate danger.
However, much like Batman, he was a villain born from the city's greed and apathy. Abandoned as a child and forced to live in sewers, it's honestly surprising this Penguin can speak at all, and yet this Penguin is incredibly quotable. A very weird, but very memorable take on the character.
The Batman (2022)
Colin Farrell's version of the Penguin is the complete opposite of Danny Devito's. Instead of being a sewer-dwelling psychopath, this version of the Penguin is the street-tough right-hand man of Carmine Falcone.
He is a seasoned and pragmatic criminal, who is often found running the nightly operations of the club. It's the most grounded take on the character yet. With his show coming very soon, this version will only continue to develop.
Batman (1966)
There is no question when people think of a live-action Penguin, Burgess Meredith's portrayal is what comes to mind for most people. From his purple top hat, absurdly huge smoking pipe, hook nose, and the iconic laugh, there's no mistaking who this rogue is.
Out of all of Batman's rogues in the show, he is the most organized criminal, befitting the face of organized crime. Crime is a business after all, and unlike the relatively modern interpretation of The Penguin as a social pariah, this version is genuinely charismatic without resorting to fear.
Gotham (2014)
Robin Lord Taylor may lack the iconic rotund figure, he more than makes up for good old-fashioned character development. This Penguin manages to encapsulate every aspect of the character, from his old-money family name, "refined" tastes, being a ruthless mob boss, and not being afraid to get his hands dirty when needed.
More than anything though, this Penguin perfectly conveys all the best and worst aspects of Gotham as a whole. Through him, you can see the gutsy resilience of Gothamites against adversity, as well as the ambition to make their fortune in any way they can. However, he also represents the ruthlessness of the criminal underworld and the deep corruption that has taken its roots in Gotham's very foundations.